Battery Cover Interlock for Automatic Connector Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Servicing computing devices with connected batteries poses a risk of accidental short circuits and damage due to forgotten battery disconnection.
Innovation Solution
Mechanically enforced disconnection of batteries through engageable elements on a housing panel or cover that move in unison with the battery connector when the panel is opened, ensuring automatic power disconnection during servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery remains connected during servicing, then power supply to components is maintained, but risk of accidental short circuits and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically disconnecting the battery connector from the device connector when the housing panel is opened. The engageable element on the panel mechanically enforces disconnection before servicing begins, eliminating the need for manual battery disconnection and preventing forgotten connections that could cause short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automatic battery disconnection triggered by the panel opening action. The engageable element and battery connector are designed to automatically disengage when the panel moves, making the safety function self-activating without requiring user awareness or additional steps.
2Ease of operation
If manual battery disconnection is required, then power can be disconnected, but user may forget to disconnect battery causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the panel opening action with battery disconnection into a single mechanical operation. The engageable element couples the battery connector's movement to the panel's movement, so that opening the panel automatically pulls the battery connector away from the device connector, combining two actions into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The engageable element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the panel and battery connector. It translates the panel's linear movement into battery connector disconnection, serving as a mechanical mediator that enforces the disconnection action without requiring direct user manipulation of the battery.
3Stability of the object's composition
If battery connector is fixed to battery, then connection is stable, but cannot move independently when panel opens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into two independent parts: the battery (power source) and the battery connector (electrical interface). This segmentation allows the connector to move independently from the battery when the panel opens, while maintaining stable connection during normal operation. The flexible cable further enables this independent movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic configurable connection. The battery connector can be firmly connected to the battery during operation for stable power supply, but can move independently when the panel opens due to the flexible cable, allowing adaptation between stable connection and movement states.
Data Source
AI summary
An example computing device includes a housing including a battery compartment to receive a removable battery, a cover engageable with the housing to close the battery compartment, and a device connector positioned inside the housing at a fixed position relative to the housing. The device connector is to make an electrical connection with a complementary battery connector of the removable battery when the removeable battery is disposed within the battery compartment. The cover includes an engageable element to engage a complementary engageable element of the battery connector to move the battery connector to break the electrical connection with the device connector when the cover is moved to disengage from the housing.